[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/correct1.jpg” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” height=”200″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”3.2″][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.13.1″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”620px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|”]<\/p>\n
How to Write a Resume for a Correctional Officer Position<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/live-career-1.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.2″ animation=”off” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.2″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|”] LIVE CAREER<\/a><\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.2″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|”] LiveCareer has been helping job seekers build stronger resumes and cover letters since 2005. Access a wide variety of resume templates and resume examples to work from, or put our resume builder to use, and get step-by-step assistance in constructing a top-notch resume in no time at all. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.16.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|”]<\/p>\n If you are adept at making quick decisions, physically fit, and able to maintain your cool in stressful and even dangerous situations, then a career as a correctional officer may be worth considering. According to the <\/span>Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a>, the median income for the estimated 450,000 correction officers in the United States is $43,540.<\/span><\/p>\n Correctional officers guard convicted criminals serving prison sentences in federal, state, and local correctional institutions, as well as those who are charged with crimes and in custody awaiting adjudication and sentencing, and those in transit between jail, court, or prison. <\/span> Openings can be found on job boards such as Careers in Government<\/a> and the American Correctional Association job board<\/a>. The following tips on how to write a resume for a correctional officer position can help make sure your application stands out ahead of the competition. Should you reach the close of the article and feel you\u2019ll need help writing yours, consider putting a free resume builder<\/a> to use. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.74″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color_2=”#efefe9″ parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/correct2.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ custom_margin=”||-40px|” animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color=”#efefe9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/correct3.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”3.13.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20%|10%||10%” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]If you have any education in areas like criminal justice, you\u2019ll want to highlight this on your resume for a correction officer position. <\/span> Skip the Objective, Keep the Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t include an Objective section. Instead, begin your resume for a correctional officer position with a Professional Summary. In the first sentence of your summary, describe yourself using a title that parallels the title in the job description as closely as possible. Many institutions use automated <\/span>applicant tracking systems (ATS)<\/span><\/a> to rank candidates. ATS tally the number times keywords from the job description appear in your resume. This means that you can increase your chances of landing an interview, and a job, by highlighting as many skills from the job description as possible in your resume for a correctional officer position.<\/span><\/p>\n Skills and Work Experience<\/strong> If you\u2019re an experienced officer, lead with a Skills section that highlights past competencies, such as prisoner management and advocacy and first aid training. Embed other skills and accomplishments, especially those that parallel those listed in the job posting, into your Work Experience section, which should take up the majority of your resume. <\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re less experienced you can include a longer Skills section focused on skills needed in the profession, such as physical fitness, strong communication skills, and quick decision-making, and a shorter Work History section to help de-emphasize your relative lack of direct experience. You can also emphasize qualities that are valued in the corrections field, such as integrity and self-discipline. <\/span><\/p>\n Education and Certifications<\/strong> If you have any education in areas like criminal justice, you\u2019ll want to highlight this on your resume for a correction officer position. Training and certifications in areas like self-defense, first aid, and crisis prevention should be prominently positioned as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Cover Letter<\/strong> Always include a cover letter, even when it is not asked for, and tailor it to reflect any keywords used in each job ad that honestly reflect your background. ATS sometimes count keywords from your resume <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> your cover letter, so including one can increase the likelihood that your application lands you an interview.<\/span><\/p>\n Limit the Jargon and Acronyms<\/strong> Spell out all acronyms, even those widely used in the field, in case the first evaluation of your resume for a correction officer position is done by an ATS or someone who is not a corrections expert. <\/span><\/p>\n References<\/strong> If letters of reference are required with your application, provide them separately. There\u2019s no need to mention references in your resume.<\/span><\/p>\n Entry-level Applicants<\/strong> The Corrections Veteran<\/strong> If you are relocating or applying for a leadership position, emphasize the skills mentioned in the job description in your summary, along with career highlights such as crisis prevention and inmate advocacy, along with statistics to back up claims of success whenever possible. <\/span><\/p>\n Replace Paragraphs with Bullet Lists<\/strong> Try not to present your experience in the form of lengthy paragraphs or long lists of skills. Instead, separate different aspects of your experience into bulleted lists, and be as concise as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n Check for Accuracy<\/strong> Background checks are often part of the hiring process in the corrections field, so make sure you have made only honest claims on your resume for a correctional officer position. Integrity is highly valued in the field, so think of your application as the first opportunity to display this quality to your next possible employer.<\/span><\/p>\n LiveCareer<\/span><\/a> offers a plethora of tools for jobseekers to use when seeking work. Take advantage of our vast collections of <\/span>resume templates<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>resume examples<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>resume samples<\/span><\/a> to use as starting points when crafting your resume. \u00a0There\u2019s even a <\/span>correctional officer resume template<\/span><\/a> in MS Word to check out. And get help with cover letter writing via our free <\/span>cover letter builder<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> If you are adept at making quick decisions, physically fit, and able to maintain your cool in stressful and even dangerous situations, then a career as a correctional officer may be worth considering. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for the estimated 450,000 correction officers in the United States is $43,540.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3297,"featured_media":33108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,18],"tags":[41,68],"class_list":["post-33107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-gov","category-career-advice","tag-career-advice-2","tag-resumes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/span>Correctional officers are required to have a high school diploma, with some federal facilities insisting that candidates attain at least some college-level education. Typically, additional job training takes place at an academy, where candidates learn self-defense, safety and security procedures, and institutional regulations and policies. <\/span><\/p>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.2″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”] LIVE CAREER [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” parallax_method_4=”off” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.13.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”60px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\nWhat to Include<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhat to Leave Out<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhat to Emphasize<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>If you don\u2019t have much experience, lead your resume with a section that highlight skills like problem solving and interpersonal communication. If you\u2019re looking to leverage experience from another field, craft a Professional Summary that explains how your existing skills will allow you to excel as a correction officer. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nWhat to Modify<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”19px|0px|24.625px|0px”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”780px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|73.90625px|0px” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”36″ text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|”] Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_contact_form captcha=”off” module_id=”et_pb_contact_form_0″ _builder_version=”3.0.87″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#02b875″ button_border_width=”8″ button_border_color=”#02b875″ button_border_radius=”4″][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”E-mail Address” field_title=”E-mail Address” field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”3.16″ form_field_font=”PT Sans||||” form_field_text_color=”#adadab” form_field_font_size=”20″ form_field_font_size_tablet=”20″ form_field_font_size_phone=”20″ form_field_line_height=”1.4em” form_field_line_height_tablet=”1.4em” form_field_line_height_phone=”1.4em” border_radii=”on||||” border_width_all=”1″ border_color_all=”#adadab” border_style_all=”solid” custom_css_main_element=”height:64px;” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#adadab” border_width=”1″ border_style=”solid” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” 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_builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/typing.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ animation=”off” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=”CAREER ADVICE” button_url=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/” button_text=”CAREER ADVICE” _builder_version=”3.16″ header_font_size=”30px” body_font_size=”20px” use_background_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”] Advice from top Career specialists [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/news-cig.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.74″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=”GOV TALK” button_url=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk-page\/” button_text=”Government Updates” _builder_version=”3.16″ header_font_size=”30px” body_font_size=”20px” use_background_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” 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background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”] Public Sector Trends [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"